Remote workforces are becoming a more common way of working today. As more companies outsource their labor, they are starting to adopt this type of working method. Not only are these workers more available to companies, but they are also more productive, as they can work from any location and still get their work done.
Without having to worry about traveling far, they simply set up a workspace in their homes and furnish it with office furniture so they can get to work without any discomfort. That is just one of the many causes for why so many workers have taken a liking to doing work the same way. However, the remote workforce does come with some risks.
Here are a few of them listed:
- Basic Physical Security Practices in Public Places are ignored.
Although we may think that physical security is only important in the workplace, it is also important in public places. Whether it’s a coffee shop, a retail store, a school, or an office, there’s a big risk of remote workforces being infiltrated by criminals who want their money and other valuables. In fact, this is something that has been long recognized, and there are several ways to prevent it. Most people are familiar with “Basic Physical Security Practices in Public Places,” which basically means that you should practice situational awareness and common sense when out and about. It basically means that you should take precautions to avoid being caught up in a crime or minimize the impact if you are.
- Email Scams.
There is currently a national scam going around that is looking to steal your money by posing as a company representative. This particular scam is called the “Remote Worker Scam,” and it is a new one on the local scammer board. The scam works like this: You are receiving an email that claims that you are getting a job offer from a company with a remote workforce. The email states that you will be receiving a $2000-3000 bonus with your new job. The email then asks you to provide your social security number and bank account information to receive your bonus. The email ends with a link that is supposed to be to a “fill out form” to receive your bonus. The online world is saturated with scams. Whether it’s fake reviews on a website, fake emails, or fake emails to people who forwarded the email, you’d be surprised how many people are getting scammed out of money or their identity. With the increase in the number of people working from home, the cases of email scams and phishing attacks have also increased significantly. This is because scammers are taking advantage of the increasing number of people working remotely, who are likely to be more vulnerable to these scams due to their lack of face-to-face interaction. To cope with this problem, businesses can work with companies like Sekur that tend to provide email security services. These services usually encrypt email conversations and protect employees from spam mails, protecting them against email scams and other cyber threats.
- Weaker Security Controls.
In many companies, employees might be uncertain about when or if they can take a vacation. Without paid time off, they might be tempted to use a day for personal errands while still being available for work. However, this poses a significant cybersecurity risk. Remote work lacks the same security measures as a traditional office. This increases the vulnerability to threats like account takeover fraud. Basically, in this scenario, a cybercriminal gains control of an employee’s account, potentially accessing confidential data from the company’s server. In case you want to learn more about this, you can read blogs on “what is account takeover fraud” for detailed information. Another prevalent risk is brute force attacks. Here, a cybercriminal repeatedly tries different combinations of usernames and passwords to gain access. This method can succeed if the employee uses a weak password or if the company hasn’t implemented multi-factor authentication, making it easier for the hacker to breach the company’s data. It’s crucial for businesses to be aware of these risks and implement necessary security measures to safeguard their data.
- Unsafe Wi-Fi Networks through Acquiring Sensitive Data
A remote workforce is a great idea, both for efficiency and for security. But if you aren’t careful, the whole system can be jeopardized by one bad apple. It may be tempting to randomly connect to a network when you’re out and about, but it’s crucial to only connect to the right networks. For example, if you’re at a coffee shop, you’re far less likely to need to be connected to the corporate network than if you were working from home. So while you may have a number of work-related apps on your phone, you may not need to be connected to the corporate network at all.
- Personal Devices are used for work.
If you’re a business owner, then you’re undoubtedly familiar with the concept of remote working. Remote workers typically receive a higher salary and are considered more productive as a result. However, there’s a downside to this, too: problems with work-related technology and equipment can really slow your business down. Essentially, you’ll be relying on your personal devices when it comes to running and maintaining your company.
Remote workforces are changing the way we work. Remote workers are no longer working from the comfort of their home offices. They now work from the comfort of their desk at home, work from a coffee shop, work from a conference room at an office, or from a coworking space, and on and on. But, this shift in how we work has its own risks, including higher turnover and lower productivity, than if we were working in person.